The 2018-19 Premier League campaign will kick off on Friday when Manchester United host Leicester City. Oddly enough, although Manchester United have more league titles than any other club in England, they are not the most recent team to win a title in this meeting. Leicester City’s players and fans are still holding on to the memory of the club’s first and only league title three seasons ago, even if many of the players responsible for winning it are no longer there.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Old Trafford in Manchester at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, August 10, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
English Premier League Betting at BookMaker.eu
Leicester City +577
Manchester United -200
Draw +322
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
Expectations are sky high for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United this season. The Red Devils finished second in the Premier League last year, but they would have ended the year at the top of the table in most years. Unfortunately for Manchester United, their crosstown rivals put together the best season in league history, leaving everyone else to play for second.
Leicester City are looking to move out of the middle of the pack and return to European football. The Foxes have finished 12th and 9th since coming out of nowhere to win the Premier League as a 500-1 underdog, and they have remained competitive. Manager Claude Puel steered the club to safety after a rough start last season, and he is looking for more this time.
Key Injuries
Although this is the opening game of the season, both teams have quite a few knocks of note.
Manchester United have an incredible 13 players listed on their injury report. Backup goalkeeper Sergio Romero, midfielder Nemanja Matic, defenders Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia, and new acquisition Diogo Dalot have all been ruled out for the match against Leicester City. Forward Romelu Lukaku, defenders Eric Bailly and Ashley Young, and midfielders Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard, and Paul Pogba have all been declared questionable, while center back Phil Jones is listed as probable.
Leicester City midfielder Matty James has been declared out, and defenders Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, midfielder Nampalys Mendy, and forward Jamie Vardy are all considered serious doubts to play. Midfielders James Maddison and Demarai Gray are both noted as 50-50 to play.
Player to Watch
There are rumors swirling around Paul Pogba heading into this match. Pogba was acquired by Manchester United just two years ago, but he has indicated that he wants out at Old Trafford. The Red Devils broke the bank to acquire him, and he has been Jose Mourinho’s biggest acquisition since becoming manager. However, Mourinho and Pogba have not seen eye to eye on a number of things and Mourinho’s constant needling comments to the media have drawn the ire of Pogba.
Although Pogba is listed as questionable for this match, it seems unlikely that he will play considering all that is happening. He is just coming back to the club after an extended absence following France’s World Cup victory, and his agent has reportedly been searching for an exit to either Barcelona or Juventus. I’ll be surprised if he sees the field.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
The other interesting note is that Manchester United look set to snatch up Harry Maguire from Leicester City. Maguire is seen as one of the top center backs in the Premier League, and that’s a position that Mourinho was looking to strengthen this offseason. It’s unlikely that a deal gets done before the match, but Maguire is almost a lock to miss the match due to the combination of injury and potential transfer.
This is a great spot to bet the upset. The Red Devils are a more talented team, but they are in a bit of turmoil. With so many injuries of note and Pogba wanting out, I’m going to take my chances on the draw at this price.
English Premier League Odds: Leicester City 1, Manchester United 1
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